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PFF: The Dallas Cowboys must re-sign this free agent

By Steven Mullenax

Aug 13, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; General view of a Dallas Cowboys helmet before the NFL preseason game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 13, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; General view of a Dallas Cowboys helmet before the NFL preseason game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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The football analytics website Pro Football Focus believes the Dallas Cowboys must re-sign this defensive free agent.

The Dallas Cowboys have several of their players who could be hitting free agency this offseason. In fact, there are 21 of them in total.

The Cowboys vast list of unrestricted free agents includes Kellen Moore (QB), Mark Sanchez (QB), Lance Dunbar (RB), Darren McFadden (RB), Brice Butler (WR), Terrance Williams (WR), Gavin Escobar (TE), Jonathan Cooper (G) and Ronald Leary (G) on the offensive side of the ball.

Defensively. Richard Ash (DT), Jack Crawford (DT), Terrell McClain (DT), Ryan Davis (DE), Andrew Gachkar (LB), Justin Durant (LB), Rolando McClain (LB), Brandon Carr (CB), Barry Church (S) Morris Claiborne (CB) and J.J. Wilcox (S) round out that list. Defensive end David Irving is the Cowboys only exclusive rights free agent.

Out of this group, a football analytic website believes one of these free agents is a must re-sign for the Cowboys this offseason. That being the defender they gave the highest overall grade for last season outside of Dallas’ Pro Bowl linebacker Sean Lee.

"“Calling any of the Cowboys’ free agents ‘must re-signs’ is probably a stretch, but the one who is best to consider is safety Barry Church,” wrote Matt Claassen for Pro Football Focus. He has slowly improved in coverage and cut down on his missed tackles last year, while always being an astute run defender. His price tag also shouldn’t be too high, compared to someone like Mo Claiborne, where another team may consider spending big money.”"

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PFF gave Church an overall rating of 86.2, the second highest among the Cowboys entire defense. That grade ranked the seven-year veteran as the 11th best safety in the entire NFL last season, according to the football analytics site.

Having just turned 29-years old, it’s unclear if the Cowboys will opt to re-sign Church. Dallas has the surging Jeff Heath and young Kavon Frazier currently on the depth chart behind starting free safety Byron Jones. Yet, ESPN’s Todd Archer sees the Cowboys re-signing of Church as a priority this offseason.

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Church recorded 85 total tackles, four pass defends, two interceptions and one forced fumble in 12 games last season in Dallas. He missed four games due to a broken forearm.

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